Frustrated over 'unfair' treatment, Anganwadi workers take to the streets on Women's Day

March 8, 2012

Mangalore, March 8: The city witnessed protest by women on International Women's Day, as hundreds of Anganwadi workers took to the streets on Thursday against the 'unfair' treatment.

The protesters marched from Lighthouse Hill to the office of the Deputy Commissioner where they held a public meeting under the banner of Dakshina Kannada District Anganwadi Workers' and Helpers' Association. The main demands of the protesters included timely payment of honorarium.

They later held demonstration at the Town Hall, the venue for the Women's Day celebrations, even as Deputy Director of Women and Child Welfare A. Shakuntala, who was in the Hall, did not accept their memorandum. The women said they came into the hall only if the memorandum was accepted.

“It is an irony that the main force behind this celebration is made to sit out in the hot sun. Are we not women? While we are here, the Stree Shakti Groups, for whom we toil hard, are being felicitated inside,” said a distraught Vishalakshi, secretary of the association.

Ms. Vishalakshi said Deputy Director Ms. Shakuntala had agreed a few days ago about accepting the memorandum and inviting them for the function.

Several anganwadi workers and helpers, who work under the Department of Women and Child Development to ensure that children received nutritious supplements, took out a silent march and presented a memorandum to the In-charge Deputy Commissioner. They came to the venue of the function around 11.30 a.m.

Despite sending feelers about their presence, Ms. Shakuntala did not agree to accept their memorandum.

She came out along with Coastal Development Authority Chairman B. Nagaraj Shetty around 1.30 p.m. to meet the protesting women. But the anganwadi workers refused to give any memorandum and left the venue.

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Screen silence: Karnataka’s bold ‘switch-off’ strategy to boost SSLC scores

News Network

February 5,2026

In an era where digital distractions are the primary rival to academic excellence, the Karnataka Education Department is taking the fight directly to the living room. As the SSLC (Class 10) annual examinations loom, officials have launched a localized "digital strike" to ensure students aren't losing their competitive edge to scrolling or soap operas.

The 7-to-9 Lockdown

The department has issued a formal directive urging—and in some cases, enforcing via home visits—a total blackout of mobile phones and television sets between 7:00 PM and 9:00 PM. This two-hour window is being designated as "sacred study time" across the state until the examinations conclude on April 2.

Key Pillars of the Initiative:

• Doorstep Advocacy: Teachers are transitioning from classrooms to living rooms, meeting parents to explain the psychological benefits of a distraction-free environment.

• Parental Accountability: The campaign shifts the burden of discipline from the student to the household, asking parents to lead by example and switch off their own devices.

• The Timeline: The focus remains sharp on the upcoming exam block, scheduled from March 18 to April 2.

"The objective is simple: uninterrupted focus. We are reclaiming the evening hours for the students, ensuring their environment is as prepared as their minds," stated a senior department official.

Student vs. Reality

While the student community has largely welcomed the "forced focus"—with many admitting they lack the willpower to ignore notifications—the move has sparked a debate on enforceability. Without a "TV Police," the success of this initiative rests entirely on the shoulders of parents and the persuasive power of visiting educators.

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